Tooth sensitivity is a very common clinical presentation which can cause considerable concern for patients. This condition is frequently encountered by periodontists, dentists, hygienists and dental therapists. The management of this condition requires a good understanding of the complexity of the problem, as well as the variety of treatments available. This review considers the aetiology, incidence and management of dentinal hypersensitivity.

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Dentinal hypersensitivity: a review

Dentinal hypersensitivity is generally reported by the patient after experiencing a sharp pain caused by one of several different stimuli. The pain response varies substantially from one person to another. The condition generally involves the facial surfaces of teeth near the cervical aspect and is very common in premolars and canines. The most widely accepted theory of how the pain occurs is Brannstrom's hydrodynamic theory, fluid movement within the dentinal tubules. The dental professional, using a variety of diagnostic techniques, will discern the condition from other conditions that may cause sensitive teeth. Treatment of the condition can be invasive or non-invasive in nature. The most inexpensive and efficacious first line of treatment for most patients is a dentifrice containing a desensitizing active ingredient such as potassium nitrate and/or stannous fluoride. This review will address the prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity. In addition the home care recommendations will focus on desensitizing dentifrices.

Dentinal hypersensitivity: a review.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a new toothpaste containing an antiplaque and antiinflammatory agent (0.3% triclosan), a desensitizing agent (5% potassium nitrate) and an anticaries agent (0.76% sodium monofluorophosphate (SMFP)) on gingival health, plaque formation and dentine hypersensitivity in a 12-week home study. The efficacy of the test toothpaste was compared with that of a control toothpaste containing 5% potassium nitrate and 0.76% SMFP and a benchmark product containing only 0.76% SMFP. Material and Methods: One hundred and two healthy volunteers, who had a minimum of 20 natural permanent teeth with no probing depth >4 mm and at least one sensitive tooth, participated in this study. Following enrollment, the subjects received a dental prophylaxis and instruction in brushing technique. After a 4-week pre-experimental phase, baseline gingival bleeding index (GBI), plaque index (PI) and visual analogue scales (VASs) indicating dentine hypersensitivity levels responding to tactile and air stimuli were assessed. The subjects were then randomly given one of the three toothpastes; test, control, or benchmark toothpaste, and a soft-filamented toothbrush for home use. The GBI, PI and VASs were re-examined at weeks 4 and 12. Results: Overall, the GBI scores were significantly reduced compared with baseline in all groups (p<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in GBI score among the three comparison groups. The PI score decreased in the test group and benchmark group from baseline to the end of study, whereas there was no significant change in the control group. Post hoc comparison indicated that the PI score was not statistically different between the three groups. There was a significant difference between the three treatment groups for sensitivity. For both the tactile and air stimuli, the reductions in VAS sensitivity scores for the test group and the control group were significantly greater compared with the benchmark group. Although the sensitivity score for air stimulus decreased more rapidly from baseline to week 4 in the test group, there was no overall difference between the test group and the control group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the new toothpaste was effective in reducing dentine hypersensitivity. More studies are needed to further determine the potential interaction between triclosan and potassium nitrate in dentifrices.

G Silverman

Papers

The Sensitivity-Reducing Effect of Brushing With a Potassium Nitrate-Sodium Monofluorophosphate Dentifrice